If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Hi Art here

I was melting a bunch of comb last night when I noticed the the last combs weren't melting . They were paper like , They were old and dark I havn't seem this yet . I used a lighter on the edge of the last comb and it burnt like crazy , Have other keepers seen this ? is it something to worry about ?

Re: Hi Art here

In brood comb there is a lining similar to a cocoon. ( I can't recall the name of it.) It gets thicker and heavier with each batch of brood. If you melt the wax off gently it will leave this wax soaked, paper like structure in the exact shape of the comb. I did this in a solar wax melter. I think most people never see this because they crush the comb before melting to get more in the pot. It shows up as what is called "slum gum".

Re: Hi Art here

Can we post pictures on here ? This after melting was large whole cell pieces i corralled and grabbed out with tongs thats when I notced it was paperlike and I looked at the last piece and notced it actually had a shine and fibre to it , the slum you speak of is likened to slag on melted metal as if impurities correct ?
These bees of mine have about a 30% evil streak in them , maybe part wasp ? Stupid question I know, the honey is great , Maybe after so many generations in the same brood the wax turns to paper ? I've a small piece of it left that suicidal bees crawled in and died and that I could not jarr out , I'll take it to the Febuary meeting and ask the guru'es if they've seen it B4. prolly just a real old brood but paper always put me into a wasp mindset ,